Six much-needed industrial and warehouse units totalling 22,613 sq ft are being built in North Derbyshire to meet market demand.

Devonshire Property Group has started work on Hartington Business Park, off Farndale Road in Staveley, which will comprise three terraces of brand new, high specification, modern industrial and warehouse units ready to let for the start of 2023.

The development will offer six units across three terraces with units available from 2,429 sq ft to 4,856 sq ft. Alternatively, units could be combined to create single units up to 8,044 sq ft. The units are being marketed by the Sheffield office of Knight Frank and Commercial Property Partners (CPP).

Harry Orwin-Allen in Knight Frank Sheffield’s industrial team said: “There is a distinct lack of supply for good quality industrial spaces under 10,000 sq ft. This speculative development delivered by Devonshire Property Group will prove attractive to occupiers seeking high quality accommodation in the region.

“The units are currently under construction and will be ready for occupation in Q1 2023.”

Max Pickering of CPP added: “With the supply of good quality, smaller industrial buildings expected to remain low, Hartington Business Park will address some of the apparent supply imbalance with good quality units that cater for a range of occupier requirements.”

Key features of the units will include modern steel portal frames, steel profile cladding, concrete floor, secure concrete yard areas, ground level loading door, EV Charging points, three phase power supply and fibre broadband.

Hartington Business Park is located on the northern edge of Staveley, which is around five miles north east of Chesterfield. The site benefits from access to the motorway network via J30 and J29A of the M1, both around three miles away from the development.

Chartered quantity surveyor and project management experts Addison Hunt has been appointed by The Liversage Trust, to provide quantity surveying services for its new office space. Situated in Alice Street, Derby and part of the Nottingham Road Conservation Area, the project – which has received planning permission – will see the existing building transformed into workshops and offices for the charity. Working alongside architect Matthew Montague Associates, the firm will convert the two-storey building into a brand-new premise for the Liversage Trust as well as courtyard for parking which will enhance the future viability and prosperity of the conservation area. Founded in 1529 by Robert Liversage, the Trust’s objectives have been to provide relief either generally or individually to Derby residents who are in need, hardship or distress. The Trust currently manages more than 160 almshouses, a 40-bed care home and a small number of other residential and commercial properties, as well as providing grants to assist residents with obtaining essential household items and limited financial support at a time of crisis. Simon Collin, director of Addison Hunt, said: “The Liversage Trust is an incredible charity and we’re delighted to be assisting them in delivering a new workshop and office space, which will be situated nearby to Liversage Trust almshouses. “We look forward to welcoming its employees into the new building, not only will they benefit from a modern and spacious facility, but it will make a difference to how they operate and the services they provide across Derby.” Andy Mellors, general manager at The Liversage Trust, said: “We are extremely pleased to be working with Addison Hunt on this exciting project. “As Derby’s oldest charity, we are keen to not only preserve the buildings of our past, but to adapt and improve them for the future, so that we can continue to provide our important services to local residents.”

North Derbyshire and Yorkshire accountancy firm BHP has moved into Chesterfield’s One Waterside Place. BHP is the building’s first tenant and takes one floor in the six-storey building, relocating from its current site on Saltergate in Chesterfield town centre, which they occupied for more than 30 years. The new office will be home to more than 70 BHP employees across its Personal and Corporate Tax, Healthcare, Audit and Accounts, and Payroll teams. The ‘Grade A’ 5,550 sq ft office space boasts state-of-the-art office facilities, breakout spaces, meeting rooms, a café/bar area, modern kitchen, LED lighting, air conditioning and cycle parking. BHP partner Dominic Staniforth said: “We’re delighted to have officially moved into our brand-new office here at One Waterside Place. It’s been exciting to welcome the team in to experience the facilities first-hand. “We’ve loved being part of the Chesterfield community for the past 30 years and the move demonstrates our commitment to the local economy and employment market, while providing us with a fantastic base for our firm to grow. “One Waterside Place is superbly located and offers our people a great place to work, with an array of restaurants, cafés and shops on the doorstep. We look forward to being in our new home for many years to come.” Lisa Leighton, BHP’s joint managing partner, said: “Chesterfield has always been an important location for us. We’ve had a base in the town since 1991 and have built up a fantastic reputation in the area. “The new office is an excellent space that provides first-class facilities for our team. I know I can speak on behalf of my Chesterfield colleagues when I say that we’re proud to be the first tenants in such a prestigious building and we look forward to our bright future at One Waterside Place.” Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “I’m delighted to welcome BHP to our new Grade A office accommodation in the heart of Chesterfield. Their investment is a ringing endorsement of our town and will help ensure there are great jobs for our residents. I want to wish them the best for their future.” One Waterside Place is owned by Chesterfield Borough Council. The building’s property developer was Bolsterstone Group Plc and BHP’s office space was kitted out by Absolute Commercial Interiors Ltd.

NN Contemporary Art, in partnership with West Northamptonshire Council, has revealed plans for a major new cultural centre at 24 Guildhall Road, in the heart of Northampton’s cultural quarter. The £4.7 million project, which is about to enter its second stage of works, will see the five-storey redundant heritage building transformed into a vibrant creative community, with a contemporary art gallery, affordable creative studios and public spaces. With a phased opening planned from late 2023 / early 2024, the 2000 sq m Georgian building will become the new home of lead tenant and founding partner, NN Contemporary Art (NNCA), who will take over the lower three floors, opening a free public gallery space that will showcase the very best of international contemporary art. With a focus on nurturing the town’s creative ecosystem, the floors will also encompass 20 affordable creative workspaces and studios, enabling hundreds of artists and creators to grow and develop their practice in the town. Designed to become a major creative hub for Northampton and the wider East Midlands region, the fully-accessible building will also incorporate multi-functional community and event spaces, including a civic reading room and arts library, a retail space and multimedia lab. Further creative and cultural tenants will be invited to lease the upper two floors. The project team includes Northamptonshire’s PHP Architects, CS2 Chartered Surveyors and artist/architect Sean Griffiths, acting as Client Advisory. Taking inspiration from its original 1920s design, the plans honour the heritage of the building, seeing many of its original features restored, including the stunning terrazzo floor. Artist Giles Round has been commissioned to design the Civic Reading Room Space. In advance of the opening, NN Contemporary Art, in partnership with West Northamptonshire Council, will this month launch Sensing Place, an ambitious programme of events and wider public realm commissions, that brings local communities together with artists, curators, academics and researchers to explore important conversations around cultural and artistic placemaking. Identified as a key element of Northampton’s regeneration, and highlighted as one of the public’s preferred priorities through a consultation carried out by Northampton Forward, the £4.7 million project is supported by the government’s Towns Fund and part of the Northampton Town Centre Masterplan. Alongside Towns Fund investment, phase one of the project has delivered £1.15 million through South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership’s Getting Building Fund. Located within the town’s Cultural Quarter, with neighbours including the Royal & Derngate Theatre and the newly-refurbished Northampton Museum & Art Gallery, the project builds on the wider vision for the area as a vibrant, innovative public space for culture and creativity. Emer Grant, CEO and Artistic Director, NN Contemporary Art, said: “We are delighted today to be announcing the next stage of our relocation & renovation project at 24 Guildhall Road. Working alongside partners we aim to bring a new kind of cultural institution to Northamptonshire. “Our approach throughout has tried to expand the terms of collaboration (and municipal process alike) as integral to the design of 21st century public realm. Phase two of this capital project will continue to develop civic spaces to an environmentally sustainable and culturally ambitious outcome with the aim to open in late 2023. “The completion of 24 Guildhall Road will bring exciting benefits to our local community and recognises the pivotal role of contemporary art in shaping extraordinary places.” Cllr Daniel Lister, Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Town Centre Regeneration and Growth at WNC, said: “We are delighted to be entering our second phase of work to deliver this ambitious project. Once open, 24 Guildhall Road will offer a unique cultural hub in the heart of the Cultural Quarter in Northampton, complementing the ongoing redevelopment of this part of town. “Working in partnership with NN Contemporary Art and SEMLEP, we are able to combine our vision to regenerate this central building and offer a space for artists and entrepreneurs across our county and beyond. We look forward to continuing to offer local jobs as we enter into the second phase of redevelopment works, supporting our local economy.” Judith Barker, SEMLEP’s Director of Programmes and Governance, said: “We are proud that the Getting Building Fund investment has been delivered successfully and has unlocked further funding for this incredibly exciting project. It will create a creative and cultural centre for Northampton and increase employment as well as support our visitor economy.”

Following practical completion of the final plot at the end of October 2022, the six units split equally across three sites at Centrix Park Corby, Castlewood and East Midlands Distribution Centre in Castle Donington – benefitting from B2 and B8 use – have become part of NFUM’s property portfolio. Five of the units were constructed on a speculative basis with no end users secured, while one unit – plot A1 in Corby occupying 162,490ft² – was pre-let to Deichmann Shoes (UK). The other five units occupy a combined floorspace of 838,586ft². Three of the units have subsequently been sold whilst two remain available on an all enquires basis. Involved from the outset, Clowes had a team of experts to assist them in the delivery of deal. IMA Architects acted as planning consultants as well as architects, helping to fine-tune the project and liaising with both Clowes Developments and NFUM throughout. Speaking on the project, Ben Hall, director at IMA Architects, said: “Our professional relationship with Clowes is longstanding and we have successfully delivered over 60 projects since 2009, with more confirmed in 2023. On this particular project, we were the only architects on site and as the demand for commercial rental units grow, so does the development potential – so we look forward to being part of future schemes. We look forward to working with Clowes on upcoming projects, and we are proud to have them as a returning client.” Law firm, Geldards, acted on behalf of Clowes Developments. Heather Dixon added: “We are delighted to have been able to support our long-standing client Clowes on its largest and most important transaction to date. Finding the right funding partner and negotiating six development funding agreements and the associated construction contracts in the current market, with the major challenge of Covid, Brexit and high demand for construction materials, was complex and demanding. “It was particularly pleasing to be part of a delivery team that consisted of advisers solely from the East Midlands, it showed the strength in depth and expertise in the region. The partnership and understanding between Clowes’ internal team and the professional team was key to delivering this landmark transaction.” Clowes Developments instructed construction contractor Winvic to build all six facilities with employers’ agent, Postins Project Services ensuring both client and developer are aligned throughout the term of the project. RammSanderson, ecology experts, advised Clowes at each site with additional guidance required at Centrix Business Park where a 4-acre reserve was created to protect the rare Great Crested Newt, a natural habitant at the former steel works site. Jon Brice, property fund manager at NFU Mutual, said: “Following completion of the last unit within this project, I would like to thank the whole team involved in delivering these fantastic buildings. We are delighted with the quality of industrial units that have been developed by Clowes and I am sure these buildings will continue to be successful going forward.” James Richards, director at Clowes Developments, said: “We are pleased to have completed this project with NFUM and to have had the expertise of our professional team on board from the outset. Their ability to work well with key parties across all sites helped to ensure that the work was completed within the agreed timescales which is essential for us. We are confident that the units will all soon find suitable occupiers and be an asset to the local East Midlands economy for years to come.” Since completing the £100m deal with NFUM, Clowes Developments and their team of expert advisors have been working on another landmark deal with international real estate investment group, Hines, to develop 1.15m sq ft of logistic space across the East Midlands.